C2C 2018: Lukas Nelson profile

Like fellow C2C 2018 performer Ashley Campbell, Lukas Nelson happens to be the child of a legendary musician – in his case, the original country outlaw Willie Nelson. Now he’s appearing as the third act on the Spotlight Stage at C2C in London on Saturday 10th March 2018.

Born in Austin, Texas, Nelson grew up in Hawaii whilst spending school breaks on the road with his dad. He wrote his first song aged 11 and was in bands with his brother Micah in high school.

In 2007, Nelson moved to Los Angeles for university. He met his future bandmate Anthony LoGerfo at a Neil Young concert and the two of them began playing music together. After Nelson dropped out of college, he and LoGerfo formed Promise of the Real (named after a line in Neil Young’s song Walk On) with Tato Melgar and Merlyn Kelly.

Promise of the Real released their debut album, Promise of the Real, in 2010. The album was recorded in Austin and includes a cover of Willie Nelson’s Peaceful Solution. To promote the album, the band played over 200 shows in 2011. They also opened shows for Willie Nelson on his 2012 tour, where Nelson played in his father’s band.

Addtionally, the band has worked closely with Neil Young after meeting him at Farm Aid. They collaborated with him on the concept album The Monsanto Years and became his touring and studio band in 2014. Promise of the Real also appeared on Young’s latest album, The Visitor, which was released in December 2017.

In August 2017, Nelson released his latest album, Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real. Recorded with the new lineup of Nelson, LoGerfo and Melgar alongside Corey McCormick, Jesse Siebenberg and Alberto Bof.

Nelson also appeared on his dad’s 2012 album Heroes, for which he wrote three songs and contributed backing vocals and guitar to 10 tracks. Willie has since returned the favour, singing on two songs on the band’s debut album and providing a guitar solo on Just Outside Of Austin on Nelson’s latest record.

Nelson is currently working with Bradley Cooper on his upcoming remake of A Star Is Born, due for release in May 2018, and has written songs with Lady Gaga who also provided vocals on two songs on Nelson’s latest album.

C2C: Country to Country 2018 takes place at the O2 Arena in London from Friday 9th to Sunday 11th March 2018. For more information head to http://c2c-countrytocountry.com/.